The TUC said up to 3,000 people from across the UK joined a protest in Westminster yesterday, with 2,200 packing into Westminster Central Hall, hundreds outside unable to get in and several hundred more queuing up to meet their local MP in Parliament.

Protests by workers, union activists and campaign groups took place across the country, to warn of the threat to jobs and services. Public sector workers including nurses, teachers, librarians and firefighters held rallies and meetings.